The joy animals can bring is never more prevalent than in times of crisis. Since Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order was enacted, the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) has seen a massive show of support from both the public and its community of volunteers. But perhaps even more heartwarming is seeing the joy that shelter animals are bringing to those individuals during this time.
Katie Dahlen and her husband and two children decided to foster a rabbit named Reeses after losing their cat, Fuzzy, to cancer after 20 years of companionship. Their foster period was intended to be only a few weeks, but after the stay home order was enacted, the family offered to support the shelter by keeping Reeses on for an extended period. As it turns out, Reeses helped them just as much as they helped him.
“Having Reeses has most certainly helped us during quarantine,” said Dahlen. “He lives smack dab in the middle of our living space, so we interact with him constantly. It’s been a good distraction to have a healthy, fun, and energetic yet cuddly rabbit to keep our minds off of things. Animals most certainly help to bring down the blood pressure, and they give joy. He is a wonderful houseguest.”
Studies have revealed that pets can reduce stress and anxiety, prevent feelings of loneliness, heighten self-esteem, and even improve blood pressure. As evidenced by the tremendous outpouring of support the shelter has received from the community in recent weeks.
SAS has had roughly 75 percent of its total population in foster care since the beginning of March. Currently, 19 of the animals in foster are available for adoption. Animals that are not up for adoption may be receiving medical treatment or behavior training. Some are in fospice care, which allows terminally or chronically ill pets to live out the remainder of their lives in a loving home.
“We are so grateful for all our volunteers who help us ensure that these animals are still made available for adoption by taking pictures and videos to help promote them, hosting virtual meet and greets, and bringing them to the shelter for in-person meet and greets and/or adoption,” said Jocelyn Bouchard, deputy director at SAS.
Thanks to the decrease in its onsite populace, SAS has been able to keep onsite staffing levels at a minimum to maintain social distancing standards and protect its staff, while continuing to carry out the essential service of caring for the Seattle’s most vulnerable animals. The combination of lower intakes and consistent adoptions has helped outcomes to outpace intakes and keep overall populations low.
This isn’t just happening in Seattle. Shelters all across the country have reported huge increases in the number of adoptions and foster placements. Though, some fear the worst is yet to come.
“Where we are right now may be just the calm before the storm,” Sharon Harmon, president and CEO of the Oregon Humane Society, told OBP, explaining that pet care may become challenging for people who fall ill or lose work.
To prepare for all possible impacts in the wake of COVID-19, SAS adjusted its COOP, an expanded continuity of operations plan that Seattle’s Department of Finance and Administrative Services previously had in place for various emergency scenarios, typically weather. The plan now includes strategies for decreased onsite staffing and moving animals to foster care to ensure space is available if the shelter sees an influx of animals.
SAS also created a “fast-tracking program,” an expedited online training that allows existing volunteers who may never have fostered to get the information they need to become a foster parent virtually right away. So far, the response from its existing team of volunteers has been so great that SAS hasn’t needed to reach out to the public for help. Though it is still possible that the need will arise.
“Our community is pretty awesome, but it remains to be seen what the coming weeks and months will bring,” said Bouchard. “We could yet see an increase in need as time goes on, and we’re doing all the necessary work now to ensure we’re well prepared.”
That is precisely why organizations like the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) exist. SASF helps raise critical funding for SAS’s life-changing programs and services not funded by the City of Seattle and invites the local community to be a part of the effort. In the coming months, these efforts will be more important than ever.
Looking to learn how you can help? Learn more about SAS’s foster care volunteer program, the current appointment-based adoption system, and consider donating to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation.